by David R. Holland, Senior Writer, award-winning sportswriter for The Dallas Morning News, football magazine publisher, and author of The Colorado Golf Bible.
FLOWER MOUND, TX -- PGA Tour veteran D.A. Weibring was quite impressed when he first viewed the site for Bridlewood Golf Club.
"There isn't a golf course similar to Bridlewood in the entire Metroplex. With fairways surrounding each green, chipping will play a big role," Weibring said. "Our goal was to accentuate the rolling terrain and forests without disturbing them, so the open feeling of the front nine contrasts with the hardwoods and Timber Creek on the back nine."
Marc Footlik, president of Bridlewood, was equally impressed. "The back-nine design is just beautiful with Timber Creek winding through groves of hardwood trees. I continue to receive great reviews from players, young and old, low and high handicappers. The comments attest to Weibring's thoughtful design," Footlik said.
Bridlewood all came together for a 7,036-yard test at par 72 with water on 14 holes. Cato-Crenshaw Bent Grass greens and 419 Bermuda grass fairways are the spots one needs to find, because there are grass swales, mounds, hollows and bunkers to be found along with lots of trees.
Weibring and his Golf Resources Group must have impressed the higher-ups. PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem gave them the job of the TPC at Deere Run in Moline, Illinois -- Weibring's home state.
"As a tournament venue for the John Deere Classic, this layout lends itself to challenge the best golfers in the world," Finchem said, "while providing a fair and enjoyable experience for the members and daily-fee customers."
Bridlewood's head pro Courtney Connell thinks you will like it. "The opening holes are like a warm handshake welcoming you to the course," Connell said.
In other words you start with two birdie holes. No. 1 is downwind at 428 and No. 2 is a par-five at 536.
"These holes get you stretched out and warmed up for the upcoming finesse holes. You will be forced to makes decisions throughout your round," Connell said.
No. 8 is an all-carry water par 3 at 195 from the back. You can bail out long and right, but two bunkers also come in to play.
No. 12, a par 5 at 568, requires an accurate tee shot because your second shot must stay clear of a sentinel tree just in front of a creek carry to the green.
You must deal with water on 14, 15 and 16 before finishing on 18, which has water down the right and guarding the green.
"I think it's a stern test from the back tees," said Connell, "but the other tees can be friendly. Weibring gave you the option, also, of playing lobs or bump-and-run shots around the greens."
Flower Mound is the home of PGA Tour player Paul Stankowski and he frequents the golf course when he has time off. Dallas Stars' coach Ken Hitchcock teams with Olympian speed skater Bonnie Blair for a charity event here.
Bridlewood also has a 14-acre state-of-the-art practice facility and summer junior golf camps. The 12,000-square foot French countryside clubhouse can host tournaments, banquets and meetings.
Connell, a graduate of Abilene Christian, was honored as the PGA's National Merchandiser of the Year in 1996, and he previously served as Director of Golf at the Quarry Golf Club in San Antonio from 1993-1998. Under Connell's leadership, The Quarry consistently ranked as one of the top 100 golf shops in the United States. He was cited as Southern Texas PGA merchandiser of the Year in 1995, 1996, and 1998.
Weibring, who lives in Plano, also designed a lighted 18-hole pitch and putt course called the Golf Center of Plano, which opened recently. It has tifdawrf Bermuda greens with 419 Bermuda on the tees and fairways. The holes are as long as 30 yards to 65 yards and a great place for beginners and veterans to work on that important short game.